Bahasa Indonesia Programs Expand to Universities Worldwide
Students in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Australia can now enroll in new Bahasa Indonesia courses.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Language Learning
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Universities across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Australia have launched new Bahasa Indonesia language programs to meet growing global interest. The Indonesian government is supporting this expansion by deploying educators and hiring trained local instructors to facilitate overseas instruction.
Why it matters
Rising student interest in the Indonesian language is driving international universities to add it to their course offerings. This expansion aims to increase global access to the language through a mix of visiting Indonesian teachers and local staff.
The government is deploying a combination of visiting educators from Indonesia and trained local instructors to manage teaching costs across these new programs. Exact student enrollment figures remain unconfirmed, though interest is reportedly active in regions like Uzbekistan.
The players
Al-Azhar University
A major historic university in Egypt that recently launched a Bahasa Indonesia study program.
University of Tasmania
An Australian public university that offers courses in the Indonesian language.
Abdul Mu'ti
The Minister overseeing the Indonesian government's initiatives to expand language study abroad.
The details
The Indonesian government coordinates these programs by sending national educators to teach abroad while simultaneously training local staff to serve as instructors. This hybrid staffing model allows for a more cost-effective rollout of language courses at overseas universities. The initiative is a direct response to the increasing popularity of Bahasa Indonesia among students seeking to diversify their language skills.
Timeline
October 28, 2026: Minister Abdul Mu'ti discussed the expansion of language programs in Jakarta.
Education Landscape
The expansion of Bahasa Indonesia programs reflects a broader trend of nations investing in language diplomacy to increase their soft power and student mobility. These new university partnerships mark a significant increase in the availability of the language for students outside Southeast Asia.
Students interested in these programs should contact the international student services or the language department at their respective universities to check for course availability. If you are a language learner, check with your institution's registrar to see if they offer new elective credits for Indonesian study.
The takeaway
The rise of Bahasa Indonesia as a sought-after language is creating new opportunities for study abroad at universities in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. Students should consult their department's course catalog to determine if these new language offerings satisfy their specific degree requirements.
Further reading
For more information on current trends in global language studies, visit our Language Learning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TEMPO.
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